Single Valve Replacement

Single valve replacement means the replacement of a valve in the heart. It is a surgical treatment of the heart. In case of single valve replacement a damaged valve of the heart is removed and the heart is supplied with a healthy valve. A natural heart valve is replaced with an artificial one in the hearts of the patients who suffer from valvular diseases.

Purpose

Four valves of the heart conduct the circulation of the blood through out the body. These valves are the mitral valve, the tricuspid valve, the pulmonic valve and the aortic valve. The health of these valves is the key to the well being of the heart and the body. Damage to any of them due to an infection or defect may hamper the normal function of the heart. When it takes the shape of a malfunction or it becomes severe, it gets in the way of the blood flow and inhibits it.

Several severe complications result from the malfunction of a damaged valve of the heart. Heart palpitations, difficulty in breathing and fainting spells are some of them. In case the replacement of the damaged valve is delayed, these complications may worsen and even cause death.

Procedure

Surgeons first of all, cut through and separate the breastbone and ribs. Then, the patient is placed on a cardiopulmonary bypass machine. This machine is a substitute for the lungs and the heart during operation hours. It performs the functions of these two vital organs of the body. Then, the heart is ripped open to locate and identify the faulty valve. Surgeons slice around the valve edges to loosen its association with the tendons that keep it connected to the heart and then, withdraw it from its place.

The place of the damaged valve is filled up with a new valve. Then, the heart is closed and the cut portion of the chest is sewed. Surgeons keep at last, the patient out of the machine after ensuring that the heart has begun to function normally and beat rhythmically. It takes even heart specialist surgeons four to five hours to execute the surgery.

Different types of artificial valves

Artificial valves are of three types. Animal tissue, especially the tissue of the aortic valve of pig is used in the making of one type. Another type that is mechanical made of plastic and metal. The third type is a human valve that is removed from the body of a donor.

Complication that develop from single valve replacement

Development of complications is possible in some cases of heart valve replacement. Calcium deposits results form the replacement of the damaged valve with a valve that is made from animal tissue. These deposits can prevent the valve from functioning normally. The new valve may become dislocated. Blood may clot on the surface of the new valve. The path of blood flow to the kidneys, legs or the brain may be blocked and as a result, the supply of blood to these parts of the body may be inhibited. It may cause stroke, kidney failure or fainting spells. Any heart muscle may get infected and it affects the patients who have undergone the surgical procedure of heart valve replacement. Intravenous antibiotics are used in treating the infection of heart muscle.

Normal results

Most of patients recover soon after the surgery and return to the normal walk of life. The chance of death in this surgery is rare. Recovery depends on the type of the valve that is inserted into the heart.